Center joint for concrete roadways and the like



Nov. 2 1926- 1,604,990

R. D. GREGG ET AL CENTER JOINT FOR CONCRETE ROADWAYS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 31 1925 Mun" Patented Nov. 2, 1926..

ROBERT D. GREGG AND FRANK L. SHIDLER, OI- KA'NKAKEE, ILLINOIS.

CENTER JOINT FOR CONCRETE ROADWAYS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed December 31, 1925.

This invention relates to concrete roadways and the like in which the mass of concrete forming the roadway is separated by a center or parting plate at its mid-width into longitudinal sections, such center plate being usually formed with lengthwise creases or bends into which the adjoining ends of the concrete sections conform to have interlocking engagement to prevent said sections from rising one above the other under the action of heat, cold or changed soil conditions upon the finished roadway. And the present improvement has for its various objects:

To provide astructural formation of a center plate of the type described, by means of which socket joints, preferably of a spheriod form, are produced between the ends of adjacent roadwa slabs or sections, whereby the cracking 0 such slabs in the meeting ends thereof, under the action of heat, cold and change in soil conditions, is prevented. a

To provide a center place construction adapted to afford a maximum strength to the roadway slabs adjacent to the roadway joint, in order to resist the normal shearing strains arising in the continued use of the roadway.

To provide a construction in which the center plates, when formed in aligned sections, are effectively attached one to the other, to prevent independent shift at the point of connection.

To provide a center plate construction by means of which roadway slabs or sections are held against lateral shift in cases where there are no curbs provided for resisting such action, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section on line 11, Fig. 2, of a concrete roadway, with the center plate in place.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged detail transverse section on line 22, Fig. 1, of the center plate, showing its position in relation to the face of the roadway.

Fig. 3, is a similar View on line 3--3, Fig. 1, of the center plate.

Fig. 4, is a detail perspective view of one end of a center plate.

Fig. 5, is a similar view of the other end of said plate.-

Fig. 6, is a detail horizontal section of the center plate, on line 6=-6, Fig. 3.

Serial No. 78,573.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views.

Roadway and the like of the present type are separated midway their width by longitudinally arranged center or parting plates, usually formed with longitudinal creases or corrugations the purpose of which are to join the two roadway slabs or sections together and hold the same against independent shift, one above the other. The main purpose of the center plates, however, being to form a central pivotal connection in the roadway, upon which the central portions of such roadway may rise and fall under the influence of heat, cold, and changed soil conditions.

In the present improvement a center plate 1 of the type described is formed with a plurality of hollow humps or projections 2,

preferably of a mounted form, and which may be either a spheroidic or cylindric shape as desired. I

Onto and into such humps or projections 2, the adjoining ends of the concrete roadway sections 3 mold and engage to form an effective interlocking connection between said slabs, of a maximum degree of strength at the respective edges of the slabs. The construction permits the free rise and fall of the central portion of the roadway above referred to without injury to the parts or portions of the structure.

Intermediate of the humps or projections 2, the center plate 1 is formed with a plurality of orifices 4 for the reception of dowel pins 5 adapted for embedding engagement in the edges of the roadway sections 3, to act as auxiliary aids in resisting shearing strains.

At intervals along the center plate 1 loops 6 are formed by a slitted deformation of the metal of the plate for the reception of the usual stakes 7 by which the center plate is held in proper position during the formation of the roadway.

With a view to secure a plurality of the center plates 1 in proper aligned condition along the roadway and prevent lateral and vertical displacement of the joined ends of the plates during the construction of such roadway, one end of each plate 1 is formed with a series of complementary offset tongues 8 adapted for interlocking engagement with the lane adjoining end of another center plate. ith the view to locking such ends against independent vertical movement auxiliary connecting means is provided as follows.

In the respective ends of the center plates 1, laterally projecting longitudinal ribs 9 are formed, with the rib on the end of one plate adapted to enter the cavity of a rib on the adjoining end of another center plate and. then effect the desired looking connection of a pair of aligned center plates.

When so desired, the longitudinal ribs 9 may be formed in spaced relation along the middle of each center plate 1 as an auxiliary aid in connecting the ends of the roadway slabs or sections 3 together.

While we have shown and described the invention as applied to the center joint of a concrete roadway, it is within the scopev of the invention to apply the present center plate or parting strip 1 in forming transverse oints in roadways and pavements generally. 1

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A center plate for concrete roadways and the like comprising a metal strip formed with a plurality of lateral hollow humps in spaced relation along its length and midway its height.

2. A center plate for concrete roadways and the like, comprising a metal strip formed with a plurality of lateral hollow humps of a convex shape in spaced relation along its length and midway its height.

3. A center plate for concrete roadways and the like comprising a metal strip formed with a plurality of lateral hollow humps of sphero-convex shape in spaced relation along its length and midway its height.

4. In a longitudinally divided concrete roadway, a series of center plates formed with hollow humps along their length and having interlocking and complementary offset tongues at one end.

5. In a longitudinally divided concrete roadway, a series of center plates formed with hollow humps along their length and having interlocking and complementary offset tongues at one end and with intervening inter-engaging hollow ribs adjacent to said tongues and intermediate the height of the plates.

6. In a center plate for concrete roadways and the like, comprising a metal strip formed with a plurality of lateral hollow humps and. witl'ra series of guide loops, in spaced relation along its length and midway its height, the loops being formed by deformation of the metal of the plate.

Signed at Kankakee, Illinois, this 29th day of December, 1925.

ROBERT D. GREGG. FRANK L. SHIDLER. 

